Capuchin Friars in Bolivia

The Capuchin presence in Bolivia dates back to 2006, when, by mandate of Brother John Corriveau, Peruvian friars went to implant our charism in Bolivia, one of the few countries in the Americas that did not yet have our presence.

To date we have three fraternities serving God's people in the Archdiocese of Santa Cruz de la Sierra: two are parishes, with five friars each, and a new fraternity currently hosting the common novitiate of CCH. There are a total of 10 Peruvian friars with 1 Croatian friar, members of the delegation, and three (one Argentine, one Ecuadorian and one Paraguayan) in collaboration for formation. So, our current Capuchin presence in Bolivia consists of 14 brothers, of whom 10 are Peruvian, one brother from Croatia and 3 brothers in collaboration for formation.

The friars are animated by a keen desire to implant the Order in Bolivia. They have already had some meetings to brainstorm about the best practical ways to make the Capuchin charism flourish in that nation. Although there are no local formandi yet, they continue to do intense vocation work and report two requests for entry for next year.

Moreover, to fortify our Capuchin presence, they have already made arrangements with the bishop of Tarija to open a new fraternity in that diocese, without the commitment of a parish, but to dedicate themselves to the young people especially university students in that city.

In the fraternity of the common novitiate, one of the two novitiates of the conference that was established in the year 2023, are four friars from four different circumscriptions (Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru), three of them lay brothers and one priest, and seven postulants (3 Paraguayan, 2 Argentine, 1 Peruvian and 1 Colombian). These formandi have done three months of integration and began their novitiate on December 1st. 

In addition to the growing presence of Capuchin friars, Capuchin Poor Clares have been in Bolivia since the 16th century in the regions of Cochabamba (first monastery) and Oruro (founded in the 1990s). In these monasteries there are local vocations and some collaborating sisters from other monasteries.

We pray the Lord to bless this fledgling presence with an authentic vitality of the Capuchin charism and give them many persevering vocations. Pax et bene!